Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s yeast is named so because it comes from the same fungus that’s used to ferment and make beer – Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

It is important to understand however that the yeast used for brewing is live while the brewer’s yeast commonly known as a nutritional supplement is deactivated. That means the microorganisms have been killed off through pasteurization or drying but the proteins, vitamins and minerals are still there.

The Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends moderate use of brewer’s yeast because, while it is a good source of nutrients, its very nature carries some possible risks.

Read on to find out the pros and cons of brewer’s yeast and its appropriate use in your quest to Become Superhuman…

Brewer’s Yeast Benefits:

Brewer’s yeast is a typical favorite of those practicing a vegetarian diet because of the proteins and numerous B-complex vitamins that it provides. These vitamins are usually found in beef, fish and poultry. Regardless of dietary practice, this type of yeast can still adequately supply you with the following nutrients:

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

Biotin (Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H)

Folic acid (Vitamin B9)

Besides those listed above, brewer’s yeast contains a notable amount of chromium. This mineral is found to decrease blood sugar levels. It can therefore potentially aid those suffering from diabetes by improving tolerance to glucose and reducing the need for insulin.

One study tested a yeast-based supplement on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and found it to be effective. The dietary supplement used is called Sillix Donna and it is composed of the same microorganism that is brewer’s yeast.

Brewer’s Yeast Risks:

Some individuals are simply allergic to yeast. Sensitivity can be such that any yeast-based products, from beer to nutritional yeast supplements, could trigger the symptoms of stomach irritation, headaches and itchiness.

Other types of medical conditions that increase sensitivity to yeast are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These are the more severe types of inflammatory bowel diseases. If you happen to have a weak digestive system or are prone to such problems, you need to be extra cautious about taking brewer’s yeast.

Although chromium’s positive effects on blood sugar levels have been studied, it is still quite possible to consume too much of this mineral and go in the opposite direction of dangerously lowering blood sugar. This is a condition known as hypoglycemia. It would be safer to consult a doctor to figure out the safe amount of brewer’s yeast to include in your diet, especially if you’re already diabetic.

Brewer’s Yeast Practical Uses:

Brewer’s yeast is commonly available in powdered form or as small flakes. It is also said to have a flavor similar to cheese which can give you an idea for its culinary uses.

You can for example sprinkle a moderate amount of powdered brewer’s yeast on popcorn to make your own cheese-flavored variety of this snack. Salad dressings and toppings on pasta dishes are also possible substitute uses of the flake form of this yeast.

The hydrolyzed yeast ingredient in soup mixes likely refers to brewer’s yeast. You can thus make a similar soup dish by adding a teaspoon or two in your own home-made broth.

It is often advised that brewer’s yeast be added at the end or after the food is cooked so that the heat doesn’t wipe out the B vitamins.

Since it’s a good source of proteins, you can pop two or three tablespoons of brewer’s yeast into the blender along with whatever fruit you’re using for a power shake or smoothie. This will make an excellent revitalizing beverage after a hard work out.

In the next post, I’ll tell you about the negative effects of processed sugar and why you should avoid it to succeed in your quest to Become Superhuman.

In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of the herbs, spices and sweeteners on Superhuman Food Pyramid:

If you have questions, comments or feedback about the pros and cons of brewer’s yeast, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the pros and cons of brewer’s yeast.

Author Bio: Ben Greenfield

Ben Greenfield is head coach of the Superhuman Coach Network, and an author, speaker and consultant. His blog is at http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com and he can be hired for coaching at http://www.greenfieldfitnesssystems.com.

His credentials include:

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology
Personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN)
Advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta, the “Harvard” of bicycle fitting schools
Over 10 years experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports

Ben hosts the highly popular fitness, nutrition and wellness website at http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com, which features blogs, podcasts, and product reviews from Ben. He is a frequent contributor to Triathlete magazine and LAVA magazine, Endurance Planet (http://www.enduranceplanet.com), the outdoor sports magazine OutThere Monthly and has been featured in WebMD, the Spokesman-Review, Inlander magazine, In-Health magazine, Fit-Pro magazine, PTontheNet, Prevention magazine, Women’s Running magazine, and Inside Triathlon magazine.

As a public speaker on fitness, nutrition, and training, Ben hosts one of the top ranked fitness podcasts in iTunes, the Get-Fit Guy (http://www.GetFitGuy.com), and has been a keynote lecturer at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships Medical Conference, the Coeur D’ Alene Ironman Medical Conference, USAT Art & Science of Coaching Symposium, Can-Fit-Pro Conference, Pilgrim’s Wellness Center Education Series, Fleet Feet Sports Endurance Sports Clinic and REI Nutrition Clinic. He sits on the board of directors for Tri-Fusion triathlon team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is the official coach for the YoungTri. As a triathlon coach and competitor, Ben competes at Ironman and Half-Ironman World Championships, holds a ranking as of USAT’s top ranked age grouper triathletes, and competes in 15-20 triathlons each year, both nationally and internationally.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.